1. Be a faithful and loving parent to your own "fur family." You have more influence than you know. Your high standards for pet care will influence your friends and family to be better pet “parents,” too. Spay or neuter your pets, train your young pets well, and care tenderly for your elderly pets. It's not always easy or inexpensive, but it's always the right thing to do.

2. Train yourself to be a better Good Samaritan for pets by being more alert to pet suffering. Remember, you might be the only lifeline for that injured or neglected pet. Watch, listen, and call. Carry a completed free wallet card from www.sunbearsquad.org at all times, so important phone numbers are handy (make extras for friends and family members). A caller can be anonymous and the call only takes a few minutes. When in doubt, let a professional decide—call.

3. Share a small portion of your pocketbook with your nearest humane society or rescue. Consider giving small gifts regularly, such as $5 every month. You'll feel the love every time you lick the envelope. This therapy helps to relieve some worries about homeless pets in your area.

4. Avoid all fur-trimmed products, no matter how small. Fur farmers in some parts of the world skin animals alive to maintain fur quality, and many of these pathetic animals are actually dogs and cats; their fur is later intentionally mislabeled as other fur to bypass American fur import restrictions. Don’t put dollars in their pockets.